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Home | Product Reviews | Handlebar | Answer Hyperlite | ||||
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Submitted by
L LABORTE
a Cross Country Rider
from Surrey Hills - UK
Date Reviewed: 3/11/2006 4:39:21 PM |
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| Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years |
| Price Paid: | $45 |
| Purchased At: | LBS |
| Strengths: | I originally swapped these for my Nitto 28" 2lb riser bars circa 1995. When flat bars were popular the first time around as gave you extra room for levers etc. These were made from very thin wall Easton EA 70 before Easton decided to venture into the cycling accessory market. Only Carbon varaints are lighter today which makes them one of the best products of all time. I trimmed them down by 20mm each side and they weigh |
| Weaknesses: | none - no fatigue after 11 years of use |
| Similar Products Tried: | Taperlite, Easton EA70, Kore, Syncros, Azonics |
| Bike Setup: | Mainly XC but various bikes over the years, Muddy Fox, Conquest, Roberts White Spider, Trek Easton 8000, Dale sm2000, Variuos Specialezed SJ's + now an Sworks Epic |
| Bottom Line: | These are ø25.4 mm, 580mm,silver 3 degree, 138g ( I never liked the purple anodizing like Ringle etc at the time) and these are as good today |
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Submitted by
Eric Heinrich
a Cross Country Rider
from Milton
Date Reviewed: 12/3/2005 11:27:57 AM |
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| Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years |
| Price Paid: | $50 |
| Purchased At: | Bike shop |
| Strengths: | A known quantity, for the longest time THE standard all other bars were compared to. |
| Weaknesses: | tough to find in 5 degree bend, current bar has too many goofy decals/designs. |
| Similar Products Tried: | Ti, 4130, AL, Capet Fiber, flat, riser, 3, 5, 7 degree bends, narrow bars, wide bars. You name it, I've ridden it. |
| Bike Setup: | Drop bars! WTB Dirt drops. |
| Bottom Line: | A good, strong, very light well made bar. For so many years the standard by which all other bars were measured, whay not go with the standard? |
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Submitted by
Graham
a Weekend Warrior
from Madison, Oh USA
Date Reviewed: 11/13/2003 2:45:52 PM |
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| FavoriteTrail: | not found one yet |
| Duration Product Used: | 2 Years |
| Price Paid: | $12 |
| Purchased At: | Cambria |
| Strengths: | Super Light, Just the right length, Awesome Purple color, Very stiff, And strong. |
| Weaknesses: | The ends get messed up. |
| Similar Products Tried: | Hellbent, ProTaper, IRD, Club Roost. |
| Bike Setup: | Manitou black Elite, Hardtail, FSA, Chris King, Shimano XTR. |
| Bottom Line: | Great bar for the price and weight I can blaze the trails and not worry about taking a free-ride if I come to one. The Paint job is sweet Under Halogen Lights It changes to Dark Purple. 140g!!!! |
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Submitted by
info P
a Weekend Warrior
from Cologne
Date Reviewed: 6/21/2002 2:28:49 AM |
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| Duration Product Used: | 1 Year |
| Price Paid: | $30 |
| Purchased At: | HiBike |
| Strengths: | light, strong, handsome look |
| Weaknesses: | guess what..nuttin' |
| Bike Setup: | GT Arrowhead, syncros stem 517 Ceramic DT Onyx XT |
| Bottom Line: | i purchased it at hibike germany for only about 30$(60DM) in blue- looks phat(i'm nearly not lookin' at the track any more when ridin'...), it's light and strong and brought me home safely- no matter what ride i took..i got no fork(yet) but it withstood the punishment! |
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Submitted by
Carlos
a Cross Country Rider
from Phoenix, AZ
Date Reviewed: 3/30/2002 10:46:06 PM |
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| Duration Product Used: | 1 Year |
| Price Paid: | $12 |
| Purchased At: | Cambria |
| Strengths: | Light, stiff and cheap |
| Weaknesses: | None |
| Similar Products Tried: | Heavy ass Kore bar. |
| Bottom Line: | "Hyper" light. If you want a 5 degree flat bar buy this one. Get gel grips or a better fork if you have wrist problems. How could a bar be any better? |
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Submitted by
Chaka Khan
a Cross Country Rider
from Ulan-Bataar, Mongolia
Date Reviewed: 11/30/2001 3:29:32 PM |
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| FavoriteTrail: | Raping and Pillaging trail |
| Duration Product Used: | 6 months |
| Price Paid: | $14 |
| Purchased At: | jensonusa |
| Strengths: | light as all get out, way stiff |
| Weaknesses: | absolutely none! Doesnt evn bent. It squeeks like a little girl under intense uphill with poor technique, tho |
| Similar Products Tried: | Titec, stock crap |
| Bike Setup: | Horse |
| Bottom Line: | This is a great handlebar and cheap, too.It makes conquering everyone and shooting arrows on horseback easy. HIghly recommended |
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Submitted by
Denva from OZ
a Racer
from Melb, OZ
Date Reviewed: 1/30/2001 9:14:15 PM |
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| Duration Product Used: | 2 Years |
| Price Paid: | $13 |
| Purchased At: | Myer Sport Melbourne |
| Strengths: | Is still the same since the day it was bought. Excellent! |
| Weaknesses: | Had to buy the specific bar ends but there also the best I've used so far. |
| Similar Products Tried: | easton ea70, numerous alloy bars |
| Bike Setup: | Mars Super, Khs cro-mo ht, Python tires, XTR v's, ESP drivetrain etc etc |
| Bottom Line: | It seems i got one of the best buys of my life when bought them at $25 aud. They're light, strong and bad in black! |
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Submitted by
Mache
a Cross Country Rider
from Germany
Date Reviewed: 9/10/2000 12:09:39 PM |
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| Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years |
| Strengths: | the whole bar is a strength! |
| Weaknesses: | if it had a weakness I would lack some teeth... |
| Bike Setup: | Yeti Pro F.R.O. |
| Bottom Line: | I bought it 5 years ago and no need to replace so far. Any questions? |
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Submitted by
Martin
a Cross Country Rider
from Moncton,NB,Canada
Date Reviewed: 7/6/2000 4:46:05 PM |
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| FavoriteTrail: | not saying :) |
| Duration Product Used: | 2 Years |
| Strengths: | light, takes a beating |
| Weaknesses: | ... I'm thinking...... |
| Similar Products Tried: | OE stuff |
| Bike Setup: | ATX 840, indy c, xt, lx mix.. ritchey wheels |
| Bottom Line: | Suprising.. its replacing the old oe one that i bent.. was expecting it do bend also but i guess the thin aloy is a strong one..great bar.. little on the expensive side though.. 80 bucks CAN |
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Submitted by
Chris Ooms
a Cross Country Rider
from Belgium
Date Reviewed: 5/28/2000 3:14:37 PM |
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| FavoriteTrail: | singletrack & uphill |
| Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years |
| Strengths: | light, durable (for XC-use) & not too expensive |
| Weaknesses: | none |
| Similar Products Tried: | Ritchey, Coda, ITM, ... |
| Bike Setup: | GT Zaskar, XT, Marzocchi Superfly, Mavic 517 hoops |
| Bottom Line: | This handlebar rules! Read in a magazine you should swap handlebars every year... not with this puppy! I removed the stem, handlebar several times for inspection, but I found no cracks. I ride for over 4 years and had no problems at all. When it starts creacking, remove the handlebar from the stem and clean it, it's just dirt that got between the 2 parts. If you want a light XC h-bar that you can trust, look no further. 5 chilis please !! |
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Submitted by
Mike
a Cross Country Rider
from Caribou
Date Reviewed: 3/23/2000 12:38:36 PM |
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| Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years |
| Strengths: | Durability! weight, strength |
| Weaknesses: | NONE |
| Similar Products Tried: | Ritchey, OEM. |
| Bike Setup: | Mb-1, XT and Lx, Ringle post, Syncros stem. Grafton Cranks |
| Bottom Line: | Had this bar on 3 bikes! going to replace it just because I want a longer one, I cut this one down a bit and now after a couple years it is going to be relagated to one of my other bikes. It has not failed me but it is old. Ok I am making excuses for wanting some new bars! It is hard to imagine any part lasting so long that a person must make excuses to buy a new one. I have not owned a longer lasting component. |
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Submitted by
David
a Weekend Warrior
from New York, NY
Date Reviewed: 12/6/1999 |
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| Duration Product Used: | more than 3 years |
| Strengths: |
Super STRONG! Lightweight Comes in lotsa colors |
| Weaknesses: | None! |
| Similar Products Tried: | Just the OEM on ny bike |
| Bike Setup: | Univega steel, Judy XC w/ Englund TAC, XT, etc... |
| Bottom Line: | Great freakin' bar! Looks good, strong and stiff and best of all, light. I've been using the bars for about five years now. Although I don't ride everyday, I do go out most weekends and the bars have withstood everything I 've dished out (wish I could say the same about the Judy cartridges, I 've gone through 3, but that's another review). I would highly recommend these bars. They rule! Speaking if which, I should probably change bars by now... (I'll be buying another Hyperlite!) 5 Chilis, baby!!! |
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Submitted by
Rob
a Racer
from Bent Mountain, VA
Date Reviewed: 10/22/1999 |
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| FavoriteTrail: | sm100 course |
| Duration Product Used: | 1 Year |
| Strengths: | light, strong, and they look cool |
| Similar Products Tried: | scott carbon, ritchey |
| Bike Setup: | 99stumphumper pro |
| Bottom Line: | a great xc racing bar. light and strong in either 3 or 5 degree bends. i like the three. well worth the price. |
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Submitted by
Alvin
a Weekend Warrior
from Concord, CA
Date Reviewed: 10/15/1999 |
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| FavoriteTrail: | Briones Canyon |
| Duration Product Used: | 1 Year |
| Strengths: | Weight, looks, price |
| Weaknesses: | not durable, a little too long |
| Similar Products Tried: | Ritchey, Zoom |
| Bike Setup: | Dean Oscar Custom, XT/XTR mix, SDG Seat, Race Face cranks, Answer Hyperlite/Hyperends, Ame grips, Time ATAC Carbon pedals, Dean Stem/post, Mavic 217/GT CNC wheels, Bontrager Revolt SS tire pair, Sachs PC-51 chain |
| Bottom Line: | Okay, this is a follow up to my earlier comment. Don't get me wrong, I still love this bar, but I just came back from a ride at Shell Ridge in Walnut Creek and after a simple crash wherein the bike was laid on it's side, the barend managed to shear off the end of the bar. I'm thankful the bar has lasted for a year, but I haven't crashed in a year, either. I'm disappointed that they could withstand one easy crash. I'll be shaving an inch off both ends to correct the problem and hopefully keep using them for a while. Still decent, though. |
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Submitted by
Joe
a Cross-Country Rider
from Ponte Vedra, Fl
Date Reviewed: 10/11/1999 |
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| FavoriteTrail: | g-ville |
| Duration Product Used: | more than 3 years |
| Strengths: | Light, strong, reasonable price |
| Weaknesses: |
No digital readout for usage remaining... Superman can still bend them... |
| Similar Products Tried: | fat city flat bar, OEM aluminum, custom chromo bar/stem combo. |
| Bike Setup: | Mani4, CAAD3 (94), XT (91) thumbies!!! |
| Bottom Line: | I am getting another one...I think after 6 years that would be prudent...yeesh- has it been that long? |
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Submitted by
Alvin
a Weekend Warrior
from Concord, CA
Date Reviewed: 9/27/1999 |
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| FavoriteTrail: | Briones Canyon |
| Duration Product Used: | less than 1 month |
| Strengths: | Weight, looks |
| Weaknesses: | strength |
| Similar Products Tried: | Ritcheys, Zoom |
| Bike Setup: | Dean Oscar Custom, XT/XTR mix, SDG Seat, Race Face cranks, Answer Hyperlite/Hyperends, Ame grips, Time ATAC Carbon pedals, Dean Stem/post, Mavic 217/GT CNC wheels, Bontrager Revolt SS tire pair, Sachs PC-51 chain |
| Bottom Line: | These are real light. EA-70 Easton tubes mean they're strong too. I chose them because of their weight, but they can take a beating. Been using em troublefree for almost a year. See my other reviews on parts under my setup. |
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Submitted by
Rat
a Weekend Warrior
from Basel/CH
Date Reviewed: 7/9/1999 |
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| Duration Product Used: | 3 months |
| Strengths: |
stiff good length light |
| Weaknesses: | n/a |
| Bike Setup: | Scott Octane Fully |
| Bottom Line: | I was reluctant to buying a replacement alu handlebar, but that factory thing was just to heavy. Had a crash shortly afterwards with quite some damages, including bent fork and wheels. But that hyperlite was so stiff it looked like unused and made the stem come loose instead of going ballistic. Because broken handlebars *are* dangerous, you should change it after a crash if you want to be on the safe side. The new one I got is a ... Answer Hyperlite. :-) |
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Submitted by
Patrick Wullaert
a Cross-Country Rider
from De Klinge, Belgium
Date Reviewed: 5/6/1999 |
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| FavoriteTrail: | La Roche, Belgium |
| Duration Product Used: | more than 3 years |
| Strengths: | Strength, weight, width |
| Weaknesses: | None ! |
| Similar Products Tried: | Ritchey ForceLite |
| Bike Setup: | Kona King Kikapu 99 w/ Magura brakes |
| Bottom Line: | I've always had Answer HyperLites on my previous bike. They've never failed on me. They look OK, are super light (145 grams or so) and ultra-strong and - more important for me - they're a full 23 wide. I like wide bars because they give me good control but prefer the old-fashioned XC bars with bar ends to the fashionable riser bars. They're perfect although hard - if not impossible - to find over here. Worth every of the five chillies I'm giving it ! |
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Submitted by
Chris
a Racer
from England
Date Reviewed: 4/20/1999 |
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| FavoriteTrail: | Singletrack above Chamonix in the Alps |
| Duration Product Used: | 2 Years |
| Strengths: |
A full 23 wide. Which is nice, but still feels narrow after a long stint with risers. Very lightweight. Easton tubing. Confidence in quality and endurance limits of the material. |
| Weaknesses: |
Feels narrow compared to risers (but they're a good width as far as flats go) Once the bar end plugs are in, they're in for good. A little flexy when you giving it some out of the saddle (then what do I expect with such a thin wall thickness. Good job the easton tubing has excellent fatigue resistance) Flat bars are out of fashion. |
| Similar Products Tried: |
Club Roost IDB 150 (great value flat bar) Ritchey flats (okay but a bit too narrow) |
| Bike Setup: | Orange P7 with Pace forks. |
| Bottom Line: | Superb quality flat bars. And components manufactured from aluminium are NOT inherently exceptionally stiff as UNgasha a racer from USA thinks. Aluminium frames and the like are only stiff because of the large diameter tubes. If steel tubes were made the same diameter then they'd be even stiffer, but in order to get them down to a reasonable weight, the wall thickness would have to be extremely thin. I've got flats on my hardtail but risers on my full sus. I'm considering trying some risers on the hardtail because the extra control in extremely technical sections IS noticeable. |
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Submitted by
Edmund Poon
a weekend warrior
from Singapore
Date Reviewed: 3/6/1999 |
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| Bottom Line: | These handlebars are very tough and is very light had them on my bike since 1994 and it's still performing fine don think i need to change any handlebars again well done Answer 5 flamines for you guys ! |
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Submitted by
UNgasha
a racer
from College Station, Texas
Date Reviewed: 2/9/1999 |
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| Bottom Line: | I've had this bar for over a year already, and it's been flawless. It's sucked up every kind of crash I've managed to put myself through, and it's begging for more today. 5 chilies. |
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Submitted by
DM-SC
a cross-country rider
from SC
Date Reviewed: 1/18/1999 |
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| Bottom Line: | I replaced my factory generic bar with a Hyperlite with the 5 degree bend. I narrowed the bar by an inch (to 22). I thought that I might not like the extra bend, but it really hasn't been very noticeable. I am pleased with the bar. |
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Submitted by
Jeff
a cross-country rider
from Fayetteville, GA
Date Reviewed: 12/11/1998 |
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| Bottom Line: | I dig the Hyperlites. They are strong, pretty light, and look sweet. I had the generic GT handelbar and I ditched it for the Hyperlite and it was worth the money. Not too much else to say about it. It's sweet. That's really all there is to say. Like them. |
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Submitted by
Jon Wallace
a cross-country rider
from state college pa
Date Reviewed: 12/9/1998 |
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| Bottom Line: | I rode one of these for two years, and I only wish it came in a 9 deg. bend. I had the 5 deg, and my wrists would complain after 2 hours of riding. I recently switched to a 9 deg. rise bar (specialized special rise), and it's been great. I miss my barends, but only because I rode on them so much-my hands liked that angle more than the regular. Climbing is the same, and I feel better doing stupid tricks-wheelies and hops. A good light bar for the money, but make sure it fits you. |
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Submitted by
UNgasha
a racer
from USA
Date Reviewed: 8/9/1998 |
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| Bottom Line: | These bars are really good bars, but being that they're aluminum, they are inherently very stiff. I'm starting to develop wrist pain and hand numbness, so this bar won't stay on my bike forever. I'm looking at the LP Composites carbon/kevlar bars and, although they're expensive, they do absorb higher frequencies of shock, those that cause wrist pain and numbness. Don't get these or ANY aluminum handlebar if you're prone to wrist pain and carpal-tunnel syndrome. |
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Submitted by
Jhune Reyes (Pinoy)
a racer
from Guam USA
Date Reviewed: 7/1/1998 |
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| Bottom Line: |
I've been using if or a year and don't have anything bad to say. It is light, fair price, functional and the quality is excellent. If asked if I'll buy one for upgrade, I will with no hesitation. Buy one and see for yourself. 50 words. 50 words. 50 words. 50 words. 50 words. I wonder how I would come up with 50 words on brake cables. Oh! it is long and made of metal. it is shiny when new. Use a designated cutter if you don't want your cable to fray. Some people use glue or end cables. He!..he!..he!.. |
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Submitted by
Win
a weekend warrior
from New York
Date Reviewed: 6/30/1998 |
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| Bottom Line: |
3 things I love about these bars is: 1.) they're light, 2.) they're strong, and 3.) they're 23 long. I'm an average height guy (only 5'11), but I have long arms and a wider bar just feels better. Heck, I'd rather hacksaw off extra width than be forced to settle for a bar that's too narrow. I'm on my second Hyperlite and I've never had a problem (I didn't break my first one-the bike got stolen). I got the Hyperlite when it first came out and felt I was taking a heavy chance on something so light (graduating from a CrMo bar to a Taperlite had been difficult enough). But the bar has stood the test of time, and not just for me, but for many others. It has been proven reliable again and again. And that, to me, is the most important factor of all. |
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Submitted by
Mark C.
a weekend warrior
from Albuquerque, NM
Date Reviewed: 6/6/1998 |
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| Bottom Line: | Excellent bars. Light and strong enough to hold up to my heavy ass (215 lbs.) I was weary of using anything that light at first but my local shop assured me that they were the only bars worth buying. I have been using answer products since my old teenage motocross days and never had a problem. |
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Submitted by
Mel S.
a weekend warrior
from CA
Date Reviewed: 5/11/1998 |
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| Bottom Line: | My Answer Hyperlite has so far lasted through all my hard, fast, agressive riding and torque from clamping stems. It's width is perfect, it's 5 degree bend is comfortable, and is still going strong (but I think it's time to replace it just to be on the safe side). This bar rocks... check it! |
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Submitted by
Florida
a downhiller
from COLORADO
Date Reviewed: 4/6/1998 |
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| Bottom Line: | These bars are too long. As soon as I got them I put on the Hyperlite barends and the thing reminded me of a moose. The quick fix for me was to go to my local bike shop and have them shortened. They took off 1 from each side, with the barends on it was the perfect size. That was back in my cross country days. Now the handlebars have a nice home on my wifes bike and I have a riser bar. (much better for comfort and control) |
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Submitted by
Chris Barratt
a cross-country rider
from England
Date Reviewed: 3/28/1998 |
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| Bottom Line: | I'm a fan of wide bars they improve control no end. The Hyperlite is a decent width and nicely light. I've been tempted by riser bars but I don't want the front of my bike any higher and I like to use bar ends. I ride other people's bikes with risers but there is so little weight over the front wheel the front wheel washes out too easily. The Hyperlites are made from Easton tubing; nicely. (Why aren't there more really wide flat bars? .....like the 24 inch X-Lites) |
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Submitted by
matt cutler
a cross-country rider
from columbia, sc
Date Reviewed: 1/23/1997 |
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| Bottom Line: | strong bar. it has resisted my heavy-handed riding and numerous crashes unscathed. well worth the money for the weight it saved and the ride. |
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Submitted by
The Goat
a cross-country rider
from St. Paul, MN
Date Reviewed: 1/12/1997 |
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| Bottom Line: | The five degree bend is comfortable. Acceptable width (23). Light and silver. Don't break at -5F. |
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